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Volume 4, Number 4 |
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| Coughs, colds and clots |
Peter Rose, Editor |
In the last issue of Thrombus, the role of bacterial pathogens in the development of ischaemic heart disease was considered. There is however, increasing recognition that a wider spectrum of pathogens may modulate endothelial cell function and result in vascular endothelial surfaces changing from anticoagulant to procoagulant activity. |
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| Imaging modalities to investigate DVT and PE |
Nick Screaton FRCR MRCP Fellow in Cardiothoracic Radiology, Papworth Hospital, Cambridgeshire |
Venous thromboembolism is a common, potentially fatal disease. About 85–95% of pulmonary emboli originate in veins of the lower limbs. Therapeutic anticoagulation is of benefit for both deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Accurate diagnosis is essential because anticoagulation may cause significant morbidity. |
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| Primary care management of deep venous thrombosis |
David A Fitzmaurice MD Senior Lecturer; Ellen T Murray MSc Research Fellow; FD Richard Hobbs MB ChB FRCGP Professor Department of Primary Care and General Practice, The Medical School, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston; Peter E Rose FRCP FRCPATH Consultant Haematologist, Warwick Hospital |
The primary treatment for acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) traditionally involves the administration of intravenous (IV) unfractionated heparin followed by a period of oral anticoagulation therapy.1,2 |
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| The developing role of the clinical nurse specialist |
Caroline Baglin RGN Thrombophilia Nurse Specialist, Department of Haematology, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge |
The role of the anticoagulation nurse specialist has evolved with the recognised need for standardised care and an increasing patient demand for warfarin therapy. The supply and administration of medicines by nurses, the implications of clinical governance and the requirements for a recognised training programme need to be addressed. |
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| An anticoagulant service for the 21st century |
Paul Stross MB Chb MRCP MRCPath Consultant Haematologist, St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester |
In common with other anticoagulant services, we have noticed a marked increase in workload at St Richard’s Hospital. We currently perform approximately 2,300 tests per month, which represents a doubling in the last two-and-a-half years. We have sought to develop a flexible system to cope with increasing demand and the differing requirements of our users. In this article, the adoption of email as a method of transmitting information to patients will be discussed. |
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